Carpentry
Carpentry enabled me to go through the design process countless times before ever taking a design course as an engineer. It has helped me to think realistically about fabrication and the importance of tolerances. While framing a deck anything within an eighth inch tolerance is an acceptable cut, but when chiseling out a mortise and tenon a 32nd to a 64th of an inch is a good fitting joint. Carpentry I believe has helped me understand the aesthetics of design better as well. It demonstrates the powerful effect of chamfering a corner or tapering a leg. For each project various constraints come up, such as a bedframe which needs to be carried up to a third floor apartment must be able to break down into the smallest flattest pieces possible, then be reassembled with the strength of a permanent fixture. Below show some of my favorite pieces. Though I have a significant amount of experience in rough carpentry such as framing, flooring, doors and windows, siding, kitchen remodels etc. I find these pieces have taught me far more in terms of design and precise fabrication.
Danish Bench
One of my favorite furniture builds. The weaving took longer than the woodworking but it was worth it!
Serving Tray
Fun and challenging project with chiseled out through mortise and tenons matching up with some nice curved pieces.
Desk
This rustic maple desk was a far more difficult build than anticipated due to the rustic qualities of the wood. Each piece had a huge amount of twist and bend and holes which I filled with epoxy.
Pine Bench
This was a mothers day present I made a few years back. It was early in my furniture building experience but I had a good time working out all the angles for the back and nice curve for the seat.
Bed Frame
Although a poorly staged photo, this is all I have left of this bedframe build. It's a mix of maple and cherry with white primed MDF for the slats.
On the left is one of my first furniture projects, a simple ash desk for my girlfriend. And on the right is a bedside table she requested some time after.
On the left, a live edge pine table with through tenons I built to get some extra counter space in the kitchen. On the right is a skateboard feature I built for my girlfriends little brother, George. He was excited to say the least.